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Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL2

Portability
75
Imaging
44
Features
20
Overall
34
Epson R-D1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL2 Key Specs

Epson R-D1
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 620g - 142 x 89 x 40mm
  • Announced March 2004
  • Replacement is Epson R-D1x
Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL3
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Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL2 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Epson R-D1 and Olympus E-PL2, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Epson and Olympus. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the R-D1 (6MP) and E-PL2 (12MP) and the R-D1 (APS-C) and E-PL2 (Four Thirds) come with different sensor sizing.

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The R-D1 was revealed 8 years prior to the E-PL2 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the R-D1 grades vs the E-PL2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Epson R-D1 over the Olympus E-PL2

 R-D1 E-PL2 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Epson R-D1

 E-PL2 R-D1 
ReleasedFebruary 2011March 2004Newer by 84 months
Display dimension3"2"Larger display (+1")
Display resolution460k235kClearer display (+225k dot)

Common features in the Epson R-D1 and Olympus E-PL2

 R-D1 E-PL2 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL2 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Epson R-D1 has got outside measurements of 142mm x 89mm x 40mm (5.6" x 3.5" x 1.6") having a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL2 has specifications of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs).

Check the Epson R-D1 and Olympus E-PL2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the R-D1 compared to the E-PL2.

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the R-D1 and E-PL2 is 75 and 85 respectively.

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL2 top view buttons comparison

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by looking through a spec sheet. The picture below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the R-D1 and E-PL2.

Clearly, both cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The R-D1 with its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF easier and the Olympus E-PL2 will render more detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged R-D1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL2 sensor size comparison

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Epson R-D1 Portrait photography advice
Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography advice
50
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Epson R-D1 Street photography highlights
Olympus E-PL2 Street photography highlights
55
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (620g)
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Epson R-D1 Sports photography features
Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography features
30
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no liveview
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (280 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Epson R-D1 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography advice
38
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (620g)
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
51
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
bad battery (280 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Epson R-D1 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography factors
47
focusing manually
change lenses (Leica M mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2 inch)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (280 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Epson R-D1 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL2 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone port
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Epson R-D1 vs Olympus E-PL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Epson R-D1 and Olympus E-PL2
 Epson R-D1Olympus PEN E-PL2
General Information
Company Epson Olympus
Model type Epson R-D1 Olympus PEN E-PL2
Class Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2004-03-11 2011-02-11
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Truepic V
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.6mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 369.7mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Highest resolution 3008 x 2000 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 59 107
Crop factor 1.5 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2" 3"
Resolution of screen 235k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 620g (1.37 lbs) 362g (0.80 lbs)
Dimensions 142 x 89 x 40mm (5.6" x 3.5" x 1.6") 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 55
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 573
Other
Battery life - 280 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-5
Self timer No Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD card SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $1,709 $0